German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Comparison - Dog breed selector: Alsatian wolf dog or Malinois or Apollo of Dogs? Find the right dog for you
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane"
Compare German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois. Which is better: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane?
Name | German Shepherd | Belgian Malinois | Great Dane |
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Origins | Germany | Belgium | Germany |
Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Working Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 2 | 44 | 14 |
Reviews | 19 | 3 | 3 |
User Ratings |
Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian | Malinois |
Apollo of Dogs Deutsche Dogge Gentle Giant German Mastiff Dane |
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Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Size and Weight Comparison
Size
Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? Which is the smallest dog, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | Large | Large | Giant |
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Weight
Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Belgian Malinois? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane weight comparison: | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg) | Male: 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg), Female: 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg) |
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg) | Male: 160 pounds (72 kg), Female: 115 pounds (52 kg) |
Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane height comparison: | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) | Male: 30-34 inches (76-86 cm), Female: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm) |
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | Male: 32 inches (81 cm), Female: 30 inches (76 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Price and Availability Comparison
Price
Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? Which is more expensive? | $800-$2000 | $1200-$1400 | $800-$1200 |
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Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Belgian Malinois is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Great Dane is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane intelligence: | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. | Smart: The Great Dane dogs have great intelligence. |
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Trainability
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane trainability comparison. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Belgian Malinois dogs are very easy to train. | Great Dane dogs are quite easy to train. |
Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Great Dane dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs strongly protect their territory. | Great Dane dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Personality and Temperament Comparison
Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane behavior/temperament comparison: |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Active Stubborn Protective Alert Confident Friendly Watchful Hard working |
Loving Intelligent Confident Friendly Devoted Gentle Reserved |
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Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Sensitive: Great Dane dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Slightly Below Average: Belgian Malinois dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | Average: Great Dane dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Belgian Malinois dogs are a social breed. | Great Dane dogs are a social breed. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | The wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home. | Great Dane dogs have average wanderlust potential. |
Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Belgian Malinois dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Great Dane dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Activity and Playfulness Comparison
Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane playfulness comparison: | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. | Great Danes are not the most playful dog breed. |
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Average to High: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. | Low to Average: The Great Dane rarely barks. |
Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Belgian Malinois indoors. | Very house-friendly dog the Great Dane breed. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Adaptability and Independence Comparison
Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Belgian Malinois dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Average: Great Dane dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
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Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Belgian Malinois dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Great Dane dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Bite Characteristics Comparison
Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Belgian Malinois bite force: Weak. | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Great Dane bite force: The Strongest. |
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Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison: | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Great Dane has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane mouthiness comparison: | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Belgian Malinois dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | Great Dane dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Health and Lifespan Comparison
Health Issues
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Great Danes are commonly healthy dogs. |
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Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo | Hip Dysplasia Eye Problems Epilepsy Elbow Dysplasia | Hip Dysplasia Patent Ductus Arteriosis Cancer Bloat Mitral Valve Disease Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Dilated Cardiomyopathy Persistent Right Aortic Arch Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia |
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Average The Belgian Malinois should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Rare The Great Dane should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Life Expectancy
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Great Dane breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
12-14 years The average lifespan of Belgian Malinois: 13 years |
7-11 years The average lifespan of Great Dane: 9 years |
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Energy and Activity Comparison
Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane?
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane energy level comparison: | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs are high-energy dogs. | Great Dane dogs are high-energy dogs. |
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Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Belgian Malinois dogs need a lot of exercises. | Great Dane dogs exercise need is minimal. |
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Belgian Malinois dogs don't need too much sleep. | Great Dane dogs don't need too much sleep. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Diet and Weight Management Comparison
Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals |
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Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane weight gain potential comparison: | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The Belgian Malinois has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The Great Dane has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Allergies and Grooming Comparison
Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane coat comparison: | Fuzzy |
Weather-resistant Straight | Dense |
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Colors
What are the original German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Great Dane color? |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Cream Fawn Brindle |
Black Blue White Fawn Brindle Merle |
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane grooming comparison: | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Great Dane requires minimal grooming. |
Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or {name3 shedding: | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Belgian Malinois dogs shed moderately. | Great Dane dogs shed moderately. |
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. | No See more. |
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Great Dane has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Great Dane drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Good With Comparison
Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Belgian Malinois dogs are generally with other pets. | Great Dane dogs are generally with other pets. |
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Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs are kid-friendly dogs. | Great Dane dogs are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Belgian Malinois dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. | Great Dane dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. |
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Belgian Malinois dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Great Dane dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Belgian Malinois is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Great Dane is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people. | Great Danes are usually recommended for elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane As a Working Dog Comparison
Service Dog
Which one could be a service dog? | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
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Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois or Great Dane? Which is better for autism? | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog? | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog? | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane? | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Great Dane breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog? | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Fighting Dog / Military Dog | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Reproducibility Comparison
Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
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Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size
How many puppies can German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois and Great Dane have? | 6-10 puppies | 6-10 puppies | 10-15 puppies |
German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois vs Great Dane Recognition Comparison
AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887 as a Working breed. |
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FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI? | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
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